Checkrein device.



H. G. WEATHERILL.

CHEGKREIN DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.15, 1914 1,128,642. Patented Feb. 16, 1915v THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTD-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. t

HENRY G. WEATHERILL, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

CHECKREIN DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

Application filed January 15, 1914. Serial No. 812,272.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY G. VVEATH- ERILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (Jheckrein Devices; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an attachment for check reins, having for its object to withstand the strain ordinarily imposed upon the rein, but which will permit of the releasing of the rein from the check hook near the point of attachment in the event of accident causing abnormal strain on the parts.

When driving it is not infrequent to have a horse stumble, which causes the animal to throw its head downward exerting great and sudden strain on the cheek rein. It is estimated that in ordinary use of a check rein a horse imposes a strain of less than fifty pounds on the rein and hook, while a strain of 500 pounds might be placed on the parts when the horse stumbles. This extensive strain frequently breaks the check rein or hook besides injuring the horse.

This invention is characterized by providing a check rein attachment which will be released from the check hook when a sudden and great strain is imposed on the parts, and which can be readily restored to its normal position.

The invention contemplates also, the adaptation of an attachment which may be employed with hooks of various sizes and style, and the use of a resilient member of substantially the same strength, thereby enabling a dealer to carry the attachment for universal employment as distinguished from attachments which must accommodate the various sizes and styles of check hooks.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an attachment connected to a check hook, showing a portion of the check rein secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the attachment. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the metallic resilient member in its closed position and detached from the flexible member. Fig. 4: is a similar view of the resilient member with its arms spread apart. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the flexible member opened outwardly.

In the embodiment of the invention illus trated in the accompanying drawings, the attachment is illustrated as comprising a resilient member A bent from a single piece of suitable metal, or other suitable material, to form an eye 10. If desired the metal may be so bent along the edge which engages the check rein, as to provide a centering notch 11, although this notch may be omitted as illustrated in Fig. 6. The eye may be substantially ovoidal in shape as in Fig. 6, or the resilient member may be substantially triangular in shape as illustrated in Fig. 2. The strip of metal is again bent to form the converging arms 12 which terminate in substantial abutting ends 13, said arms being resilient to permit of their separation under abnormal strain. The material of the resilient member A is preferably such that it can be tempered so that its arms 12 will normally resist a pressure against them of substantially 50 pounds, or any other strength which may be found necessary.

In view of the various sizes and styles of check hooks, it has been found desirable to adapt the resilient member A for universal use, and accordingly there is provided a flexible thong B for cooperative use with the resilient member. This thong is illustrated in Fig. 5 as having a narrow central portion 14 where the member is folded upon itself, and the widened end portions 15. lVithin these widened portions 15 there may be provided any suitable means, such as a slit 16 to be engaged by the check hook. One end 15 of the flexible member B is preferably passed through the eye of the resilient member A to bring its narrow portion 14 into engagement with each of the converging arms 12 and to conceal the ends 13 thereof. The formation of the arms 12 is preferably such that the portion 1-lof the thong B will rest against the inclined por tion of the arms. When the device is first presented to a customer, the thong ends 15 may be secured in their adjusted relation by any suitable detachable means such. as a stitch indicated at 17, or any other suitable fastening device.

In operation, the cheek rein C is secured to the portion 18 of the eye, while the thong B is positioned opposite thereto in the eye. The thongs being of substantially equal width at the portion let, may be readily passed between the arms 12 and its endsl3 ,when abnormal strain is suddenly placed upon the check rein. For eXample,oin the ordinary movementvof the horses head the the check rein and hook but prevents 'lnw jury to the horses mouth. The driver may then open the ends 15 of the flexible'thong B and insert one end thereof through the eye restoring the flexible thong B to its normal position, and returning the member to engagement with the check hook by means of the slits 16. p g It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the device, but the right is reserved to make such alter .ations therein as fairly fall Within the scope of the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

" 1. As a new article of manufacture, a

check rein attachment comprising a metallic member bent upon itself to form an eye and two oppositely positioned arms, and a flexible member positioned within the eye of the resilient member and provided with means Copies of this patent may be obtained for to engage a check hook, said arms being so rein, two oppositely positioned converging arms and a flexible member doubled upon itself to inclose the ends of-the oppositely positioned arms, the free ends of the flexible,

member'bein'g provided with means to engage a check hook.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a

'checkrein attachment comprising a resilient member bent upon itself from a single;

piece of metal to form an eye for a check rein and two oppositelypositioned converging arms, and a flexible thong doubled upon itself and positioned within the eye to inclose the ends of the oppositely positioned arms and rest on the converging portions of said arms, said thong being adapted to pass between said arms when abnormal strain is placed upon the parts, thereby preventing injury to the check rein or animal by per-v .mitting separation of the parts.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY G. WEATHERILL. Witnesses: v

JOSEPH R. EDsoN,

JOHN XV. MICHAEL, J r.

five cents eacinby addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. i 

